In vivo induction of a high-avidity, high-frequency cytotoxic T-lymphocyte response is associated with antiviral protective immunity

Many approaches are currently being developed to deliver exogenous antigen into the major histocompatibility complex class I-restricted antigen pathway, leading to in vivo priming of CD8(+) cytotoxic T cells. One attractive possibility consists of targeting the antigen to phagocytic or macropinocytic antigen-presenting cells. In this study, we demonstrate that strong CD8(+) class I-restricted cytotoxic responses are induced upon intraperitoneal immunization of mice with different peptides, characterized as CD8(+) T-cell epitopes, bound to 1-microm synthetic latex microspheres and injected in the absence of adjuvant. The cytotoxic response induced against a lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) peptide linked to these microspheres was compared to the cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) response obtained upon immunization with the nonreplicative porcine parvovirus-like particles (PPV:VLP) carrying the same peptide (PPV:VLP-LCMV) previously described (C. Sedlik, M. F. Saron, J. Sarraseca, I. Casal, and C. Leclerc, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 94:7503-7508, 1997). We show that the induction of specific CTL activity by peptides bound to microspheres requires CD4(+) T-cell help in contrast to the CTL response obtained with the peptide delivered by viral pseudoparticles. Furthermore, PPV:VLP are 100-fold more efficient than microspheres in generating a strong CTL response characterized by a high frequency of specific T cells of high avidity. Moreover, PPV:VLP-LCMV are able to protect mice against a lethal LCMV challenge whereas microspheres carrying the LCMV epitope fail to confer such protection. This study demonstrates the crucial involvement of the frequency and avidity of CTLs in conferring antiviral protective immunity and highlights the importance of considering these parameters when developing new vaccine strategies.

Short synthetic glycopeptides successfully induce antibody responses to carcinoma-associated Tn antigen

Glycopeptides containing a tumor-associated carbohydrate antigen (mono-, tri- or hexa-Tn antigen) as a B-cell epitope and a CD4+ T-cell epitope (PV: poliovirus or TT: tetanus toxin) were prepared for immunological studies. Several Tn antigen residues [FmocSer/Thr (alpha-GalNAc)-OH] were successively incorporated into the peptide sequence with unprotected carbohydrate groups. The tri- and hexa-Tn glycopeptides were recognized by MLS128, a Tn-specific monoclonal antibody. The position of the tri-Tn motif in the peptide sequence and the peptide backbone itself do not alter its antigenicity. As demonstrated by both ELISA and FACS analysis, the glycopeptides induced high titers of anti-Tn antibodies in mice, in the absence of a carrier molecule. In addition, the generated antibodies recognized the native Tn antigen on cancer cells. The antibody response obtained with a D-(Tn3)-PV glycopeptide containing three alpha-GalNAc-D-serine residues is similar that obtained with the Tn6-PV glycopeptide. These results demonstrate that short synthetic glycopeptides are able to induce anticancer antibody responses.

Intranasal delivery of recombinant parvovirus-like particles elicits cytotoxic T-cell and neutralizing antibody responses

We previously demonstrated that chimeric porcine parvovirus-like particles (PPV:VLP) carrying heterologous epitopes, when injected intraperitoneally into mice without adjuvant, activate strong CD4(+) and CD8(+) T-cell responses specific for the foreign epitopes. In the present study, we investigated the immunogenicity of PPV:VLP carrying a CD8(+) T-cell epitope from the lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) administered by mucosal routes. Mice immunized intranasally with recombinant PPV:VLP, in the absence of adjuvant, developed high levels of PPV-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) and/or IgA in their serum, as well as in mucosal sites such as the bronchoalveolar and intestinal fluids. Antibodies in sera from mice immunized parenterally or intranasally with PPV:VLP were strongly neutralizing in vitro. Intranasal immunization with PPV:VLP carrying the LCMV CD8(+) T-cell epitope also elicited a strong peptide-specific cytotoxic-T-cell (CTL) response. In contrast, mice orally immunized with recombinant PPV:VLP did not develop any antibody or CTL responses. We also showed that mice primed with PPV:VLP are still able to develop strong CTL responses after subsequent immunization with chimeric PPV:VLP carrying a foreign CD8(+) T-cell epitope. These results highlight the attractive potential of PPV:VLP as a safe, nonreplicating antigen carrier to stimulate systemic and mucosal immunity after nasal administration.

A recombinant virus-like particle system derived from parvovirus as an efficient antigen carrier to elicit a polarized Th1 immune response without adjuvant

Hybrid virus-like particles (VLP) were prepared by self-assembly of the modified porcine parvovirus (PPV) VP2 capsid protein carrying a CD8+ or CD4+ T cell epitope. Immunization of mice with a single dose of these hybrid pseudo-particles, without adjuvant, induced strong cytotoxic T lymphocyte and T helper (Th) responses against the reporter epitope. The Th response was characterized by a Th1 phenotype. We also analyzed in vitro the uptake mechanism of these parvovirus-like particles and the processing requirements associated with presentation by MHC molecules. Although previously shown to be presented by MHC class I molecules, these particles also enter very efficiently the MHC class II endocytic pathway, and behave as conventional exogenous antigens. Indeed, the processing of chimeric PPV:VLP was performed in endosomal/lysosomal acidic vesicles and the presentation of the foreign epitope carried by these particles was sensitive to brefeldin A and cycloheximide, showing that the foreign peptide was loaded on nascent MHC class II molecules. These results give some indication of how PPV:VLP can be presented by MHC class I and class II molecules, and underscore the wide potency of such VLP system to deliver foreign antigens for vaccine design.

Induction of cytotoxic T-cell response by optimal-length peptides does not require CD4+ T-cell help

In several experimental models, synthetic peptides were shown to activate efficiently cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) responses and therefore represent an attractive strategy to develop new vaccines. However, the mechanisms by which they induce CTL responses are not yet fully understood. Several studies using 15 16-mer peptides previously demonstrated that CD4 helper T cells are required to induce optimal CTL responses with synthetic peptides. However, recently it was suggested that shorter 8 12-mer peptides could have an increased in vivo immunogenicity. In the present study, we therefore investigated if such optimal-length peptides still require CD4+ T-cell help to activate CTL responses. To address this question three synthetic peptides containing different viral CTL epitopes were injected into mice depleted of CD4+ or CD8+ T cells using specific monoclonal antibodies or into mice genetically deficient in those T-cell populations. Our results clearly established that activation of CTL responses by those short optimal peptides does not require CD4+ T-cell help and therefore suggested that high-density binding of peptides to major histocompatibility complex class I molecules on the surface of antigen-presenting cells is required for direct activation of CD8+ T cells, independently of CD4+ T-cell help.

Characterization of T-cell immune responses of Echinococcus multilocularis-infected C57BL/6J mice

Specific and non-specific parasite-induced changes in lymphocyte responses were analysed in C57/BL/6J mice after intrahepatic infection with Echinococcus multilocularis. Spleen cells harvested at selected times after infection were in vitro stimulated with mitogens or a crude soluble parasite extract (EmAg) at an optimized dose. Cell proliferative responses to Con-A were not modified by the infection over the first 22 weeks. In contrast, LPS-induced responses were decreased from the 13th week. A strong CD4+ proliferative T-cell response to the parasitic extract of infected mouse spleen cells was observed at the early stage of infection. This response then progressively decreased but remained significantly higher than that of control mice until the 19th week of infection. Cytokine production was investigated after in vitro EmAg stimulation of spleen cells. IFN-gamma, IL-2, IL-5 were produced within the first weeks after infection whereas the detection of IL-10 was slightly delayed. Thus, the promotion of the disease does not appear associated with the expansion of one rather than another T-cell subset in C57BL/6J mice. A general immunosuppression affecting both mitogenic and parasite-specific T-cell responses was observed at the end of the infection.

Comparison of immune responses of mice immunized with five different Mycobacterium bovis BCG vaccine strains

Among the various parameters which may contribute to Mycobacterium bovis BCG vaccination efficiency, the choice of the vaccine strain may play an important role. In the present study, we therefore compared the immunogenicity of five different BCG strains that are commonly used for BCG vaccine production (Glaxo 1077, Japanese 172, Pasteur 1173P2, Prague, and Russian strains). The comparison of the growth capacity of these BCG strains in BALB/c and C3H mice demonstrated that a great difference exists between the capacity of various BCG strains to multiply and persist in target organs. A much lower recovery of BCG could be shown in mice immunized with Prague and Japanese BCG strains. T-cell responses of BCG-immunized mice were also examined by analyzing T-cell proliferative responses, cytokine production, delayed-type hypersensitivity responses, and cytotoxic activity. All these assays demonstrated that BCG immunization induced strong CD4+ T-cell responses, mostly of the Th1 type, as demonstrated by interleukin-2 and gamma interferon production. These studies also demonstrated that there are differences between BCG strains in stimulating these T-cell responses. A lack of induction of cytotoxic activity was observed following immunization with the Japanese strain. Lower anti-purified protein derivative antibody responses were also observed after intravenous or oral immunization with this BCG strain. Finally, the protective activity of these BCG strains was tested by measuring the capacity of immunized mice to eliminate recombinant Pasteur and Japanese BCG strains which expressed beta-galactosidase. The results of these experiments clearly demonstrated that the Prague and Japanese strains were unable to protect mice against a second mycobacterial challenge whereas mice immunized with the Glaxo, Pasteur, or Russian strain eliminated the recombinant BCG very efficiently. Altogether, the results of the present study strongly support the view that there are considerable differences in the immunogenicity of various BCG vaccine strains and that these differences may play a major role in BCG vaccination efficiency.

In vivo induction of cytotoxic T cell response by a free synthetic peptide requires CD4+ T cell help

Most attempts to induce CTL responses by in vivo priming with free synthetic peptides have been unsuccessful so far. However, two separate studies have recently succeeded in inducing antiviral CTL responses by immunizing mice with unmodified free synthetic peptides derived from nucleoproteins from either lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus or Sendai virus. In the present study, we have analyzed the cellular mechanisms by which the lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus synthetic peptide induced CTL responses. We demonstrated that this peptide, which was previously shown to be recognized by CD8+ T cells, also contains a helper CD4+ T cell epitope. It stimulates in vivo both CD4+ T cell-mediated CTL response. The in vivo elimination of CD4+ T cells by treatment with a mAb was shown to strongly reduce the antipeptide CTL response. This study therefore demonstrates that to be able to induce CTL responses, a peptide has to stimulate both CD4+ and CD8+ T cell subset.

In vivo induction of cytotoxic T cell response by a free synthetic peptide requires CD4+ T cell help

Most attempts to induce CTL responses by in vivo priming with free synthetic peptides have been unsuccessful so far. However, two separate studies have recently succeeded in inducing antiviral CTL responses by immunizing mice with unmodified free synthetic peptides derived from nucleoproteins from either lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus or Sendai virus. In the present study, we have analyzed the cellular mechanisms by which the lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus synthetic peptide induced CTL responses. We demonstrated that this peptide, which was previously shown to be recognized by CD8+ T cells, also contains a helper CD4+ T cell epitope. It stimulates in vivo both CD4+ T cell-mediated CTL response. The in vivo elimination of CD4+ T cells by treatment with a mAb was shown to strongly reduce the antipeptide CTL response. This study therefore demonstrates that to be able to induce CTL responses, a peptide has to stimulate both CD4+ and CD8+ T cell subset.

The cellular location of a foreign B cell epitope expressed by recombinant bacteria determines its T cell-independent or T cell-dependent characteristics

We have targeted two foreign B cell antigenic determinants to different locations in the Escherichia coli cell to examine what effect this had on antibody responses elicited by the recombinant bacteria. The two epitopes were the 132-145 peptide from the PreS2 region of hepatitis B virus and the C3 neutralization epitope of poliovirus type 1. They were each expressed in two forms either on the surface, as part of the outer-membrane protein LamB, or soluble in the periplasm, as part of the periplasmic protein MalE. When live bacteria expressing the foreign epitope at the cell surface were used for immunization of mice, they induced T cell-independent antibody responses characterized by a rapid induction of IgM and IgG antibodies. In contrast, when the same foreign epitope was inserted into the MalE protein, the antibody response was only detectable after 3 wk, belonged only to the IgG class and was strictly T cell dependent. This study has therefore identified two major pathways by which epitopes expressed by bacterial cells can stimulate specific antibody responses. The first pathway is mediated by direct activation of B cells by bacterial cell-surface Ag and does not require T cell help. The second pathway is T cell dependent and concerns Ag that can be released from the bacteria in a soluble form. We have also studied the effect of the exact position of the B cell antigenic determinant within the LamB protein and with respect to the outer membrane by comparing the immunogenicity of the PreS epitope inserted at three different permissive sites of LamB. The data indicated that to obtain an antibody response with intact bacteria, the epitope must be protruding sufficiently from the outside of the outer membrane. In contrast, when semipurified hybrid proteins were used as immunogen, the exact position of the B cell antigenic determinant within solubilized LamB protein does not influence its immunogenicity.

The cellular location of a foreign B cell epitope expressed by recombinant bacteria determines its T cell-independent or T cell-dependent characteristics

We have targeted two foreign B cell antigenic determinants to different locations in the Escherichia coli cell to examine what effect this had on antibody responses elicited by the recombinant bacteria. The two epitopes were the 132-145 peptide from the PreS2 region of hepatitis B virus and the C3 neutralization epitope of poliovirus type 1. They were each expressed in two forms either on the surface, as part of the outer-membrane protein LamB, or soluble in the periplasm, as part of the periplasmic protein MalE. When live bacteria expressing the foreign epitope at the cell surface were used for immunization of mice, they induced T cell-independent antibody responses characterized by a rapid induction of IgM and IgG antibodies. In contrast, when the same foreign epitope was inserted into the MalE protein, the antibody response was only detectable after 3 wk, belonged only to the IgG class and was strictly T cell dependent. This study has therefore identified two major pathways by which epitopes expressed by bacterial cells can stimulate specific antibody responses. The first pathway is mediated by direct activation of B cells by bacterial cell-surface Ag and does not require T cell help. The second pathway is T cell dependent and concerns Ag that can be released from the bacteria in a soluble form. We have also studied the effect of the exact position of the B cell antigenic determinant within the LamB protein and with respect to the outer membrane by comparing the immunogenicity of the PreS epitope inserted at three different permissive sites of LamB. The data indicated that to obtain an antibody response with intact bacteria, the epitope must be protruding sufficiently from the outside of the outer membrane. In contrast, when semipurified hybrid proteins were used as immunogen, the exact position of the B cell antigenic determinant within solubilized LamB protein does not influence its immunogenicity.

Identification of a T-cell epitope adjacent to neutralization antigenic site 1 of poliovirus type 1

Proliferative T-cell responses to poliovirus in various strains of mice have been analyzed by using either killed purified virus or capsid protein VP1 synthetic peptides. Following immunization of mice with inactivated poliovirus type 1 (PV1), a specific proliferative response of their lymph node CD4+ T cells was obtained after in vitro stimulation with purified virus. In mice immunized with PV1, PV2, or PV3, a strong cross-reactivity of the T-cell responses was observed after in vitro stimulation with heterologous viruses. By using various strategies, a dominant T-cell epitope was identified in the amino acid 103 to 115 region of capsid polypeptide VP1, close by the C3 neutralization epitope. The T-cell response to VP1 amino acids 103 to 115 is H-2 restricted: H-2d mice are responders, whereas H-2k and H-2b mice do not respond to this T-cell epitope. Immunization of BALB/c (H-2d) mice with the uncoupled p86-115 peptide, which represents VP1 amino acids 86 to 115 and contains both the T-cell epitope and the C3 neutralization epitope, induced poliovirus-specific B- and T-cell responses. Moreover, these mice developed poliovirus neutralizing antibodies.

The in vivo elimination of CD4+ T cells prevents the induction but not the expression of carrier-induced epitopic suppression

Injection of mice with an immunogenic dose of carrier (keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH)) followed by immunization with hapten-carrier conjugate (TNP-KLH) selectively suppresses anti-hapten antibody response. In this study, the cellular basis of this epitopic suppression and also of the suppression induced by a high dose of carrier were analyzed by in vivo depletion of CD4+ or CD8+ T cell subsets by using mAb. The mAb treatments were performed either at the time of carrier priming or at the time of hapten-carrier immunization. The elimination of CD8+ T cells has not modified the anti-carrier antibody response, whether this treatment was performed at the time of KLH-priming or during TNP-KLH immunization. Moreover, the in vivo treatment with the anti-CD8 mAb did not modify the carrier-induced epitopic suppression induced either by a low immunogenic dose of KLH or by a high dose of this Ag. The elimination of CD4+ T cells at the time of KLH immunization has prevented the induction of a memory response to KLH, clearly establishing that CD4+ T cells are essential in memory B cell development to T-dependent Ag. Moreover, this treatment has totally abrogated the epitopic suppression induced either by low or high dosages of KLH. In contrast, the in vivo elimination of CD4+ T cells after carrier immunization did not abolish the secondary anti-carrier antibody response and did not prevent the expression of epitopic suppression. These data indicate that primed CD4+ T cells are required neither for memory B cell expression nor for the expression of suppression. Finally, once induced, the suppression can be evidenced after in vivo depletion of both primed CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. These data support the view that epitopic suppression is induced through the expansion of carrier-specific B cells and resulted from intramolecular antigenic competition between hapten and carrier epitopes.

The in vivo elimination of CD4+ T cells prevents the induction but not the expression of carrier-induced epitopic suppression

Injection of mice with an immunogenic dose of carrier (keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH)) followed by immunization with hapten-carrier conjugate (TNP-KLH) selectively suppresses anti-hapten antibody response. In this study, the cellular basis of this epitopic suppression and also of the suppression induced by a high dose of carrier were analyzed by in vivo depletion of CD4+ or CD8+ T cell subsets by using mAb. The mAb treatments were performed either at the time of carrier priming or at the time of hapten-carrier immunization. The elimination of CD8+ T cells has not modified the anti-carrier antibody response, whether this treatment was performed at the time of KLH-priming or during TNP-KLH immunization. Moreover, the in vivo treatment with the anti-CD8 mAb did not modify the carrier-induced epitopic suppression induced either by a low immunogenic dose of KLH or by a high dose of this Ag. The elimination of CD4+ T cells at the time of KLH immunization has prevented the induction of a memory response to KLH, clearly establishing that CD4+ T cells are essential in memory B cell development to T-dependent Ag. Moreover, this treatment has totally abrogated the epitopic suppression induced either by low or high dosages of KLH. In contrast, the in vivo elimination of CD4+ T cells after carrier immunization did not abolish the secondary anti-carrier antibody response and did not prevent the expression of epitopic suppression. These data indicate that primed CD4+ T cells are required neither for memory B cell expression nor for the expression of suppression. Finally, once induced, the suppression can be evidenced after in vivo depletion of both primed CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. These data support the view that epitopic suppression is induced through the expansion of carrier-specific B cells and resulted from intramolecular antigenic competition between hapten and carrier epitopes.

Induction of virus-neutralizing antibodies by bacteria expressing the C3 poliovirus epitope in the periplasm. The route of immunization influences the isotypic distribution and the biologic activity of the antipoliovirus antibodies

Two viral epitopes (C3 neutralization epitope from poliovirus type 1 and the 132-145 peptide from the PreS2 region from hepatitis B virus) have been expressed in the Escherichia coli periplasm as protein fusion with the maltose binding protein (MalE protein). Immunization of mice with live bacteria expressing the foreign viral epitopes in their periplasm elicited high antibody titers against the viral peptide as well as against the corresponding virus. This demonstrates for the first time in the case of defined epitopes that, when live bacteria are used as immunogens, presentation at the cell surface is not a prerequisite to obtain an antibody response. On the other hand, the induction of antiviral antibody responses by these recombinant bacteria depended dramatically on the route of immunization: a response was induced by live bacteria through the i.v. route but not through the s.c. route. However, when bacteria were heat killed or when the MalE hybrid protein was released under a soluble form from the cell, a response was induced even upon s.c. immunization. From these results, we suggest that in order to induce high levels of antibodies by the s.c. route, a major parameter for bacterial Ag would be their capacity to be released into a soluble form before the interaction of the bacteria with the APC. This would permit the presentation by B cells rather than by phagocytic cells. Finally, we demonstrate that the route of immunization influences the isotypic distribution and the neutralizing activity of the antipoliovirus antibodies. Such results may have major implications for the development of bacterial vaccines based on fusion proteins.

Induction of virus-neutralizing antibodies by bacteria expressing the C3 poliovirus epitope in the periplasm. The route of immunization influences the isotypic distribution and the biologic activity of the antipoliovirus antibodies

Two viral epitopes (C3 neutralization epitope from poliovirus type 1 and the 132-145 peptide from the PreS2 region from hepatitis B virus) have been expressed in the Escherichia coli periplasm as protein fusion with the maltose binding protein (MalE protein). Immunization of mice with live bacteria expressing the foreign viral epitopes in their periplasm elicited high antibody titers against the viral peptide as well as against the corresponding virus. This demonstrates for the first time in the case of defined epitopes that, when live bacteria are used as immunogens, presentation at the cell surface is not a prerequisite to obtain an antibody response. On the other hand, the induction of antiviral antibody responses by these recombinant bacteria depended dramatically on the route of immunization: a response was induced by live bacteria through the i.v. route but not through the s.c. route. However, when bacteria were heat killed or when the MalE hybrid protein was released under a soluble form from the cell, a response was induced even upon s.c. immunization. From these results, we suggest that in order to induce high levels of antibodies by the s.c. route, a major parameter for bacterial Ag would be their capacity to be released into a soluble form before the interaction of the bacteria with the APC. This would permit the presentation by B cells rather than by phagocytic cells. Finally, we demonstrate that the route of immunization influences the isotypic distribution and the neutralizing activity of the antipoliovirus antibodies. Such results may have major implications for the development of bacterial vaccines based on fusion proteins.

Carrier-induced epitopic suppression is initiated through clonal dominance

Injection of mice with an immunogenic dose of carrier followed by immunization with hapten-carrier conjugate selectively suppresses anti-hapten antibody response. Previous studies have proposed that this epitopic suppression is related to the induction of carrier-specific Ts cells which in turn could inhibit selectively anti-hapten response. In the present study, we propose that the epitopic suppression is in fact due to clonal dominance. Immunization with a carrier such as tetanus toxoid induces a clonal expansion of carrier-specific B cells, thus decreasing the probability of hapten-specific B cells to react with the Ag. Increasing the density of the TNP-hapten on the conjugate has totally prevented the induction of the epitopic suppression. Moreover, using low hapten-carrier concentrations to challenge carrier-primed mice has enhanced the induction of the suppression. Finally, priming hapten-specific B cells before carrier/hapten-carrier immunization has also abrogated the suppression. The results of these experiments support the view that epitopic suppression is induced through the expansion of the clones specific for the carrier epitopes and resulted from intra-molecular antigenic competition between hapten and carrier epitopes. Based on these findings a regulatory role is proposed for B cells, where through their capacity to process and present antigen, they would exercise a strong influence on the selection of immune responses.

Carrier-induced epitopic suppression is initiated through clonal dominance

Injection of mice with an immunogenic dose of carrier followed by immunization with hapten-carrier conjugate selectively suppresses anti-hapten antibody response. Previous studies have proposed that this epitopic suppression is related to the induction of carrier-specific Ts cells which in turn could inhibit selectively anti-hapten response. In the present study, we propose that the epitopic suppression is in fact due to clonal dominance. Immunization with a carrier such as tetanus toxoid induces a clonal expansion of carrier-specific B cells, thus decreasing the probability of hapten-specific B cells to react with the Ag. Increasing the density of the TNP-hapten on the conjugate has totally prevented the induction of the epitopic suppression. Moreover, using low hapten-carrier concentrations to challenge carrier-primed mice has enhanced the induction of the suppression. Finally, priming hapten-specific B cells before carrier/hapten-carrier immunization has also abrogated the suppression. The results of these experiments support the view that epitopic suppression is induced through the expansion of the clones specific for the carrier epitopes and resulted from intra-molecular antigenic competition between hapten and carrier epitopes. Based on these findings a regulatory role is proposed for B cells, where through their capacity to process and present antigen, they would exercise a strong influence on the selection of immune responses.

Prevention of low dose streptozotocin induced diabetes by muramyl dipeptide

The objective of the present investigation was to evaluate the effect of the synthetic immunomodulator MDP on an experimentally induced diabetes. It has been previously demonstrated that a single high dose of streptozotocin (STZ) induces hyperglycemia by direct destruction of pancreatic beta-cells. MDP had no effect on the diabetes induced by high dose STZ injection. However, MDP partially protected mice against the toxicity of STZ. In contrast to the first model, repeated low dosages of STZ have been shown to induce hyperglycemia due to autoimmune destruction of beta-cells. Large dosages of MDP given before these low dosages of STZ markedly decreased the diabetogenic effect of STZ. It is proposed that this protection is due to the immunosuppressive activity of MDP.

A potential anti-pregnancy vaccine built by conjugation of the beta-subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin to adjuvant-active muramyl peptide

The beta-subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) conjugated to tetanus toxoid is being investigated as a vaccine for human fertility control. Initial clinical trials indicated that the level of antibody response induced by such an immunogen was not always sufficient to prevent pregnancy. Therefore, efforts are being made to evaluate new carriers for the beta-subunit and to select adjuvants to yield a more efficient vaccine. In the present report, we demonstrate that conjugates of the beta-subunit of hCG with muramyl dipeptide (MDP), or its nonpyrogenic derivative murabutide, may have potential as an effective antipregnancy vaccine. The copolymer of beta hCG and MDP administered with Al(OH)3 to mice induced a high anti-beta hCG response, better than that induced by the conjugate of beta hCG to tetanus toxoid given with Al(OH)3. Moreover, the antibodies induced by such an immunogen were competent for neutralizing the biological activity of hCG in vivo. Even more interesting, a copolymer of beta hCG and of murabutide induced high levels of biologically active antibodies. This immunogen may represent a promising candidate for the development of an efficient vaccine for human fertility control.

Inhibition of human IL 2 production by MDP and derivatives

In the present study, well-defined immunomodulatory synthetic glycopeptides were used to investigate putative regulatory mechanisms of in vitro IL 2 production by normal human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. MDP (muramyl dipeptide) and two of its structural analogs, murabutide and MDP-DD, were shown to inhibit the in vitro PHA-induced IL 2 production in a majority of normal individuals tested. Involvement of prostaglandins in such an inhibitory effect was suggested by the fact that indomethacin completely abrogated the MDP-induced suppression. There was, however, some evidence indicating that the inhibition induced by the synthetic glycopeptides and that induced by PGE2 were somewhat different. Indeed, although the PGE2-induced suppression of IL 2 production was completely reversed by preirradiation of PBMNC, this was not observed for the MDP-dependent inhibition. In addition, PMA was able to abrogate the suppression induced by MDP, whereas it increased that of PGE2. From these data we propose that at least two independent pathways in the regulation of human IL 2 production exist: a one-signal pathway already described in which PGE2 directly triggers a radiosensitive suppressor T cell subset; and a second pathway with two signals, one given by PGE2 and a second one given by agents such as muramyl peptides. These two signals are required to activate a radioresistant suppressor cell subset.

Inhibition of human IL 2 production by MDP and derivatives

In the present study, well-defined immunomodulatory synthetic glycopeptides were used to investigate putative regulatory mechanisms of in vitro IL 2 production by normal human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. MDP (muramyl dipeptide) and two of its structural analogs, murabutide and MDP-DD, were shown to inhibit the in vitro PHA-induced IL 2 production in a majority of normal individuals tested. Involvement of prostaglandins in such an inhibitory effect was suggested by the fact that indomethacin completely abrogated the MDP-induced suppression. There was, however, some evidence indicating that the inhibition induced by the synthetic glycopeptides and that induced by PGE2 were somewhat different. Indeed, although the PGE2-induced suppression of IL 2 production was completely reversed by preirradiation of PBMNC, this was not observed for the MDP-dependent inhibition. In addition, PMA was able to abrogate the suppression induced by MDP, whereas it increased that of PGE2. From these data we propose that at least two independent pathways in the regulation of human IL 2 production exist: a one-signal pathway already described in which PGE2 directly triggers a radiosensitive suppressor T cell subset; and a second pathway with two signals, one given by PGE2 and a second one given by agents such as muramyl peptides. These two signals are required to activate a radioresistant suppressor cell subset.

Visceral Leishmania tropica infection of BALB/c mice: cellular analysis of in vitro unresponsiveness to sheep erythrocytes

In mice, infection with Leishmania tropica initially produced a nonspecific enhancement of the immune response to sheep erythrocytes as measured both in vitro and in vivo. Subsequently, the spleen cell responses of susceptible mice (BALB/c) to sheep erythrocytes and T- and B-cell mitogens in vitro decreased dramatically, whereas those of the resistant strain (C57BL/6) returned to normal. Analysis of the spleen cells of infected animals revealed that macrophages (the target cells of Leishmania) were not defective. However, both T- and B-cell-depleted splenocyte populations of infected animals lacked the ability to respond in the presence of their corresponding B- and T-cell-depleted populations of normal spleen cells. It was also observed that the addition of various numbers of Leishmania organisms did not alter the response of normal spleen cells in vitro. The results of cocultures of various ratios of cells from the spleen of infected and normal animals ruled out the possibility of a strong active immunosuppression. The decrease of in vitro response is attributed to the depletion of immunocompetent cells in the spleen of infected mice, which is heavily populated by null cells.

Systemic infection of Leishmania tropica (major) in various strains of mice

The spleen cells of different strains of mice were cultured and examined for the presence of viable promastigotes one to three months following a cutaneous inoculation of 1 to 2 X 10(6) promastigotes of Leishmania tropica (major). The spleen cultures of all five strains tested (BALB/c, DBA/3, C3H, CBA and C57B1/6) contained organisms. Viable parasites were present in the spleen of resistant strains (C3H, CBA, C57B1/6) even after recovery from their cutaneous lesion. The possible implication of this finding in the long lasting immunity observed in this disease is discussed.